Wire: The Battle for Mosul

An Iraqi Army soldier from the 9th Division shoots towards Islamic State positions during clashes in Al Qasr village, 7km to Mosul, Iraq. Wednesday, November 30, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

A group of civilians pass close to the body of an Islamic State militant while fleeing from Mosul due to Islamic State heavy shelling in several areas under control of the Iraqi Army in Mosul, Iraq, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

A member of the Sunna militia stands on guard atop the roof of a building in Haji Ali Sheyalat village, around 70Km from Mosul, Iraq, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

Iraqi soldiers of the 17th Division carry a wounded comrade right after a mortar falls in an area where the troops where gathering to advance towards the IS held village of Ganus, around 70 Kilometers southern Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016

An Iraqi soldier Stands at a check point while a Humbee pass by the road on its way back from the frontline in Haji Ali village, around 70 Kilometers southern Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

Members of Iraqi Special Forces scans for Islamic State militants from a house in Al Barid district in Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

From a Humvee, a group of civilians walk in front of a damaged building in Mishraq district in Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

Yousuf Odey, 10, wounded in the eye by Islamic State militants is treated by doctors at a clinic in Zahra district in Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

Iraqi women stand in line while waiting for AID to be distributed at Samah district in Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

A soldier of the 9th Division of the Iraqi Army shoots towards Islamic State positions from an armor vehicle while his comrades take cover behind the vehicle during clashes in Al Qasr village, 7km to Mosul, Wednesday, November 30, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

A draw of Mickey Mouse with its face painted with spray by Islamic States militants on the wall of a kindergarden in Al Barid district in Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

View of Haji Ali village from a destroyed building, around 70Km from Mosul, Iraq, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

French soldiers shoot a canon toward Islamic State militants position from a military base of the Coalition Forces in Gayara, Iraq, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

Iraqi children look at the body of a half buried Islamic State militant while talking to an Iraqi soldier which steps on the body of the militant in Al Barid district in Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

A Christian Iraqi woman is seen during the celebration of Santa Barbara in Om Almauna church in Erbil, Iraq, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo) Christians fro several Christian villages destroyed by the Islamic State, mainly from Karamles, have gather in Erbil to pray and celebrate Santa Barbara's day.

Members of a Sunna militia stand on a roof at the frontline in Sheyalat village, around 70Km from Mosul, Iraq, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

A sniper of the Iraqi Special Forces scans for target from his position in Mishraq district in Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)